To raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is celebrated around the world every year on 14th June.

In crisis or emergency situation, the natural human response is “What can I do? How can I help?” Therefore the slogan for the 2017 campaign underlines the role every single person can play in helping others in emergency situations, by giving the valuable gift of blood. It also focuses on the fact that it is important to give blood regularly so that the blood stock is sufficient before an emergency arises.

The slogan for the 2017 WBDD is: What can you do? With the secondary message:

Give blood. Give now. Give often.

In the current scenario in our country the demand exceeds the supply. The blood banks constantly face the challenge of making sufficient blood available at the time of need. According to WHO, blood donation by 1% of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood. Safe blood saves lives as well as improves the health of an individual. Anyone who is between 18 to 65 years of age can donate blood except in few conditions.

FAQ’s on Blood Donation

What is the normal safe interval between blood donations?
Men can donate safely once in every three months while women can donate every four months.

Is there any upper age limit to blood donation?
The usual upper age limit for blood donation is 65 years. However, first-time donors or even regular donors older than 60 years may be accepted under the guidance of a physician.

How much blood is removed during donation and how soon does it get replaced in the body?
The amount of blood withdrawn varies from 350ml- 450ml. It normally takes 24hrs for the blood volume to be replaced. Red cells need about four to six weeks for complete replacement.

Will I become physically weak or get any infection after blood donation?
No if you are in normal health there is no cause for concern. The chances of infections are minimal if the lab/Mobile van is taking all precautionary actions.

Is blood donation a safe process?
Blood donation is completely a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded. Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history, blood donation and refreshments.

Why should I donate Blood?
One of the major reasons to donate blood is to help others. One donation can help save the lives of up to three people. If you began donating blood at the age of 18 and donated every 90 days until you reached 60, you would have donated 30 gallons of blood, potentially helping save more than 500 lives!

Who should not donate blood?

Do not donate if-

You have tested positive for HIV or hepatitis

You have got a tattoo done recently

You have any blood clotting disorder

You had a heart attack in the last six to twelve months

You are an intravenous drug abuser

You had a recent attack of malaria

You had received blood, plasma or other blood components recently or during the last year

You had cardiac surgery in the last year

You are taking cardiovascular medicine

You had an abortion recently

You had received chemotherapy/radiation for cancer treatment

You have anaemia of moderate or severe type

What are the precautions before donating blood?

Drink extra water and fluids

Avoid caffeinated beverages

Eat well to reduce the risk of reactions. Eating foods rich in iron is advisable.

Who should I contact if I wish to donate blood?
You can donate blood either in a licensed blood bank, blood donation camps or at a blood mobile. For a comprehensive list of Blood Banks, Click here

E-Blood Banking

A micro site has been developed to make it easier for the masses to search blood/blood products in real time availability across all licensed blood banks. For more information, Click here.

NHP Mobile Application for Blood Bank

National Health Portal has launched the Directory Services Mobile Application for helping the masses. This App helps you locate the nearby blood banks (NACO supported, Private and other Government Departments) to your location and also provides contact details of the key personnel. You can find the blood banks up to a radius of 100kms. The list of blood banks and contact details are updated on regular basis.

This Portal is designed, developed and hosted by Centre for Health Informatics (CHI), set up at National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.